Though sin turned the world upside down, God did not sit idly by but sent messengers to proclaim the light to a sin darkened world. This has always upset people because it upsets the system and disturbs the comfort of sinners.

Acts 17:1-15

It proved to be a fateful day in world history. A woman and a man made a choice to rebel and, in so doing, changed the course of the world. On that fateful day, sin entered the world and turned the world upside down in opposition to God’s created order.

Science tells us of creatures that live so long in the dark shadows of a cave that they become blind because the optic nerve in their eyes is never stimulated by light. To them, their dark world is normal, and should the day come that light pierces into their darkness, they will not see it. In like manner, it is possible for human creatures to live in a condition so long that they begin to accept the abnormal as normal. 

A person can live with a disease for so long that they no longer remember what it feels like to be well. In the early 1990s, while living in Mombasa, Kenya, we got accustomed to their milk… it was awful, quite unlike any fresh milk you might purchase here in Zambia. After drinking that milk for a long time, we began to accept it as normal, but when we tasted fresh milk, we didn’t like it! 

You see, it is quite possible for the abnormal to become normal, for the defective to be viewed as the desirable state.

The Thessalonians’ Accusation

It is on this basis that the Thessalonians made the statement, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here also!” This was viewed as an undesirable thing!

Though sin turned the world upside down, God did not sit idly by but sent messengers to proclaim the light to a sin darkened world. This has always upset people because it upsets the system and disturbs the comfort of sinners.

Throughout history God has sent these messengers to point out to the people of the world that we have fallen short of God’s glorious standard. I think of the prophet Elijah who pronounced judgment upon Israel and her wicked King Ahab for his immoral and idolatrous lifestyle. After three years of drought Elijah presented himself to Ahab. 1 Kings 18:17-18 records, “Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, ‘Is that you, O troubler of Israel?’ And he answered, ‘I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals.’”

Jeremiah was pronouncing God’s message to a doomed and rebellious people, yet from their upside-down perspective he was guilty of treason as Jeremiah 38:2-4 shows.

What characterizes a person who shakes up the world for God and His glory?

They Had Courage

They traveled from Philippi through Amphipolis (53km SW) and Apollonia (43km SW) arriving in Thessalonica (64km SW) 164km SW of Philippi. Thessalonica was the capital of the province with a population of 200,000 people.

Paul was attacked in Iconium, stoned in Lystra and most recently beaten and imprisoned in Philippi. Upon entering Thessalonica they again preach Jesus.

What gives men courage to turn the world upside-down? Courage – “I would define courage to be a perfect sensibility of the measure of danger and a willingness to endure it,” said General W.T. Sherman. Courage is doing what you know you ought to do in spite of personal risk or consequences.

Courage comes from knowing God intimately. As Psalm 27:1-5 and Ephesians 6:10 teach us, this means believing that God is in sovereign control. Think of Asa in 2 Chronicles 14:9-11. It means understanding the omnipotent power of God and trusting in His strength. Lack of courage comes from an inadequate understanding of God.

Read More